Chocolate Layer Bars (Grandma Hill Cookies)

From the kitchen of “Mom Hill (my great-grandma)”, a family favorite shared with love.

There’s something deeply comforting about recipes written by hand, the kind that live on for decades in family binders, tucked beside old photos and notes about who loved which batch best. This recipe for Chocolate Layer Bars comes from Mom Hill, and it’s one of those sweets that feels like a hug from another time. Layers of chocolate, cream cheese, and almond-scented batter bake together into a soft, rich bar with a delicate crunch at the edges. It’s nostalgia, wrapped in foil and stored for “just one more piece.”

🥣 Ingredients

Layer 1 (Chocolate Mixture):

• 12 oz chocolate chips

• 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese

• ⅔ cup canned milk (evaporated milk)

• ½ cup nuts (your choice, she always used walnuts and pecans)

• ½ teaspoon almond extract

Layer 2 (Crust and Topping):

• 1 cup butter

• 3 cups flour

• 1½ cups sugar

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon almond extract

• 2 eggs

🔧 Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the chocolate layer. In a saucepan over low heat, melt together the chocolate chips, cream cheese, and canned milk, stirring until smooth. Once melted, stir in the nuts and almond extract. Set aside to cool slightly.

Step 2: Make the crust and topping. In a large bowl, combine butter, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, almond extract, and eggs. Mix (or pulse in a food processor) until the mixture is crumbly and evenly combined.

Step 3: Assemble the layers. Grease a 9x12-inch baking pan. Press half of the crust mixture into the bottom. Spread the chocolate layer evenly over it, then sprinkle or crumble the remaining crust mixture over the top.

Step 4: Bake. Bake at 350°F for about 30 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned. Let cool before cutting into bars.

🕰️ Notes from the Family

These bars are best shared, with coffee or a glass of milk. The almond extract gives them a soft old-fashioned aroma that feels straight out of a farm kitchen on a snowy day. The handwritten note that came with this recipe says simply: “From Mom Hill,” and that’s all the credit it needs. Every family has a “Mom Hill”, someone who taught that good things take a little patience and a lot of butter.

🍫 Serving Suggestion

Dust with powdered sugar for a touch of elegance, or drizzle with melted chocolate for extra richness. Stored in an airtight container, they keep beautifully for several days, though they rarely last that long.